The Knicks Fix

It's been a while since I've replied to some of your comments to the blog. It's a slow week, so now is a good time. Thanks in advance to all of you who take the time to read and especially those who comment.

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In response to "True Grit" Nykat said: ". . . yeah he probably wasn't quite as hurt as he let on, but I still commend him for not being a distraction by complaining about minutes, asking for a buyout or sulking . . . "

My reply: It concerns me that you lower the bar so much that a guy who doesn't complain should be commended. The point was that in showing no interest in being a role player, Francis seemed to carry himself above the other vets, such as Malik Rose (who has actually won something in his career), Kelvin Cato and Jerome James. Now all of a sudden we're supposed to greet him as a conquering hero come back to save the team?

I expect more out of people, especially professionals. I would hope you would, too.

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In response to "Melon! Get Yer Suit on! We Need Ya!", WT asked, "How do you feel about Ryan Smyth?"

My reply: I've been saying the Knicks need a bona fide power forward for about half the season. The Knicks. (But he's a great addition to the Islanders).

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In response to "Losing No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn, Pt. II," Jon said, "Any word on how the 'new' MSG is going? I thought Sheldon Silver and his cronies shot that down."

My reply: Silver, the Assembly speaker, did have a hand in halting the Moynihan Station project, which was to be constructed within the Farley Post Office building across the street from the current MSG. But Silver is believed to be in favor of the bigger MSG V project that would take place at the Post Office because it will also include something like 10 million square feet in office space. Cha-ching. I believe we'll be hearing more about this in the coming year.

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In response to "Game Time," Jeff said: "With Curry and Lee as the two main building blocks on this team, we desperately need help with interior defense. A shotblocker is a huge need that I don't think will be addressed during the deadline."

My reply: You can only hope that Thomas does not make another miscalculation with the mid-level exception this summer. The past two years he used it for defensive purposes -- James as a shot blocker and post defender and Jared Jeffries as a defender -- and both times it has been a bust. Jeffries is playing better lately, but where he was a few weeks ago, you would think he could only get better. To follow Nykat's thinking, however, I commend Jeffries for putting in extra work after practice to improve his game.

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In response to "Hall Doesn't Crown King Again," bigtool said: "chris mullen is a bum and so is king"

My reply: Your name says it all, bigtool.

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In response to "Star Gazing," KnicksFan said, "Absolutely the worst blog entry I've read that I can remember."

My reply: At least you can remember it.

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In response to "Not About Gay, But Can He Play?," Phil said, "Who in the hell cares"

My reply: Exactly.

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Keep 'em coming Knicks fans. The season is only starting to heat up. I'll try to reply mailbag-style at the end of the regular season. We'll see if by then the Knicks are a playoff team.

So tell me, right now, do they make it?